740.0011 European War 1939/31058
The Cardinal Secretary of State (Maglione) to Mr. Harold H. Tittmann, Assistant to the Personal Representative of President Roosevelt to Pope Pius XII 54
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: You are well aware of the extent to which the Holy See endeavored to have the sacred character of Rome respected [Page 942] by both belligerent parties and to have the Eternal City spared from air attacks.
It is not necessary to repeat the arguments advanced so many times both orally and in writing, namely: that Rome is the city sacred to Catholicism and the seat of the Supreme Pontiff and of His diocese;, that the soil of Rome—aside from being rich in historical monuments unique in the world—is as though covered with sacred temples, renowned basilicas, precious relics, pontifical or international institutions dependent upon the Holy See.
Unfortunately, as you are aware, these reasons, however serious and convincing in themselves, were left unheeded and one had thus the painful surprise of seeing those very Nations which had acquired in the eyes of civilization the merit of wishing to see Athens and Cairo spared from air bombardment, take the initiative in bombing Rome in whose favor militate certainly no less pressing reasons than those adduced for the two above named cities.
The first raid on July 19 caused—as is known—very considerable damage to the patriarchal Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura; the second raid, which occurred on the 13th instant, destroyed one church and damaged another; nor is it difficult to foresee that by continuing in this manner the danger of very serious and irreparable ruin will be unavoidable.
As you well know, as a result of the prompt intercession of the Holy See, the new Italian Government had decided to declare and to render Rome an open city and to this end suitable negotiations were begun with the Allied Governments through the agency of the Holy See. While the reply from His British Majesty’s Government is still awaited, the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United States, in a Note dated August 8, communicated to the Apostolic Delegate in Washington for the information of the Holy See, that the question had been taken under the most earnest consideration by the highest United States authorities, and he concluded by stating that in the meantime he was authorized by the President of the Republic to make known that in conformity with the principles of international law and international treaties, nothing prevented the Italian Government from proceeding unilaterally to declare Rome an open city. In view of the foregoing, you are in a position to judge whether repetitions of the bombings of the Eternal City are opportune while these negotiations are pending. If it should be desired to justify them on grounds of so-called war exigencies, it would be easy to rejoin first of all that it would appear that the consideration of military objectives (which do not seem to be of great importance in Rome) should not prevail over the very serious superior reasons of religion, civilization and humanity so often reiterated by the Holy [Page 943] See; and secondly that the repetition of deadly bombardments over Rome, and over so many other Italian cities with even greater intensity—because of the exasperation it is causing among the masses—far from shortening the war is keeping peace away, thus rendering impossible the friendly understanding and collaboration among the peoples which alone can be a guaranty of common tranquillity.
You have undoubtedly noted that once again on this occasion the Holy Father made haste, as Bishop of Rome, to carry, although with an anguished heart, comfort by his presence and by his word among his diocesans. And you will permit me to lament the fact that he, who during the present tremendous conflict has been and is the merciful consoler in every kind of suffering (without distinction of nationality or religious faith) could not have been spared the pain of witnessing his diocese and his children that are nearest to him so grievously tried.
As you well know, last night the Italian Government—to which I felt it my duty to communicate the reply of the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs of the United States—made public the fact that it declares Rome, the center of Catholicism, an open city and that the “necessary measures are being taken, according to international law”. Since it appears that matters are now well advanced, the Holy See would be grateful if further negotiations could take place with the greatest possible speed in order that the desired agreement on so serious a question may be reached as soon as possible. The Holy See does not doubt that in the meantime any sort of fresh bombardment of Rome will be avoided.
I take this opportunity [etc.]
- Transmitted to the Department by Mr. Tittmann in his despatch No. 229, August 19; received September 9.↩